News
Joseph Holt Brewery partners with H.M.Pasties to give ex-offenders fresh start
‘H.M.Pasties is an incredible social enterprise, and we are proud to support a business that shares our commitment to giving people a second chance’
A Manchester brewery has partnered with a pasty shop to give ex-offenders a fresh start.
Joseph Holt brewery, a family business based in Manchester, has been brewing beer for six generations. And beyond brewing ale, it has committed to support ex-offenders through a range of programmes and schemes.
Its active support has seen the Manchester brewer help ex-offenders through apprenticeships, in-prison careers talks, and partnerships with organisations like ‘Only A Pavement Away’ which connects individuals in need with employment opportunities in prisons, veteran communities, and several homeless charities.
When Joseph Holt Brewery discovered H.M.Pasties — an award-winning food company in Bolton run by ex-offenders — a collaboration seemed like the perfect pairing.
The company has made it their mission to engage with prisons through employment days, offering advice and guidance to those interested in joining the hospitality industry.
They also run apprenticeship schemes and collaborate with charities to assist individuals in rebuilding their lives after prison.
Jane Kershaw, the director of Joseph Holt Brewery and member of the Holt family, said about the joint venture: “We were already aware of the high quality of pies and pasties produced by Lee and his team.
“But what truly resonated with us was the alignment of values. H.M.Pasties is an incredible social enterprise, and we are proud to support a business that shares our commitment to giving people a second chance.
“By partnering with them, we not only support the local community but also reduce food miles as they source local, quality ingredients. And seeing our legendary bitter used in a pie is fantastic!
“H.M.Pasties was a perfect fit for us in terms of our shared goals.”
Founder Lee Wakeham — who himself spent two stints in prison during his youth — expressed his delight at the success of their pies.
The steak pie, infused with carrots, onions, garlic, thyme, and tomato puree, has been reinvented with Joseph Holt bitter, adding depth and richness to the flavour. While the cheese pie, unlike many similar products, focuses on the cheese’s lusciousness rather than heavy potato content.
H.M.Pasties takes pride in sourcing homegrown ingredients from the prison estate, simultaneously providing employment opportunities for individuals with convictions. The company offers mentoring support, empowering their employees to build new careers and lead a crime-free life.
Lee Wakeham said: “Working with Joseph Holt was an obvious choice for us.
“We were drawn to their legendary beers and ales, but more importantly, we admired their strong ties to charitable causes and their commitment to helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives.
“With projects like apprenticeship schemes and prison collaborations, Joseph Holt shares our belief in uplifting those who have faced setbacks.”
After his release, Lee worked his way up from a factory worker to a sales manager. In 2011, he began working with offenders as a resettlement worker and an employment coach, eventually establishing H.M.Pasties in 2019.
Lee’s personal journey is an example of the transformative power of therapy, support and determination.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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